We are your advocate. We are a law firm that focuses exclusively on the needs of those involved in the criminal justice system.

Glossary

Assault Weapon: Assault weapons are considered hazardous and are defined by the State of California as any type of weapon, which would most commonly be used by a soldier during a tour of combat. These weapons include: any AK series rifle; Uzis; any semiautomatic, center-fire rifle with the capacity to hold more than 10 rounds; any shotgun with a revolving cylinder, and; any semiautomatic rifle less than 30 inches in length.

Burglary: This crime entails entering into a building with the intent to steal or commit any other type of felony. The burglary of a residence is a serious felony, because of the likelihood or increased potential for a confrontation and/or violent encounter with the people residing in the home.

CCW Permit: A CCW (Carry a Concealed Weapon) permit allows its holder to carry a legally registered firearm out of plain sight (i.e., inside a coat, in a purse, in the glove compartment of a vehicle, etc.).

Domestic Violence: Incidents of violence that involve members of the same household including parents, children, spouses, former spouses, intimate partners and roommates.

DUI: Driving under the influence charges in the State of California can be processed as either misdemeanors or felonies, depending upon the details of the case. Any individual who receives up to three DUI charges that do not result in bodily injury or property damages will be charged with a misdemeanor DUI. Any individual who receives a fourth DUI or whose driving under the influence resulted in property damages, bodily injuries or fatalities will be charged with a felony DUI.

Expunge/Expungement: The act of "removing" or sealing a criminal conviction from an offender's criminal record. An expunged conviction is most commonly concealed only from general review (i.e., employers, property managers, etc.), and left available for law enforcement officers, judges and correctional facilities.

Embezzlement: The unlawful conversion of property from one individual to another, following an establishment of trust, which endows the "taker" of said property with the authority to exercise control over its management and/or distribution. Embezzlement is a white collar crime, and it is considered a breach of trust, because the crime is not technically a "theft," since the embezzling party was given authority over the property by the rightful owner.

Firearm: In the State of California, the following weapons are considered firearms: pistols, revolvers, handguns, rifles, short barreled rifles, shotguns, short barreled shotguns and tasers.

Grand Theft: Taking another individual's property, valued at $400.00 or greater, without their consent.

Juvenile Law: A branch of law that deals specifically with processing, hearing and judging criminal offenses enacted by individuals who have not yet reached the age of majority - or 18.

Marsy's Law: Also known as the Victims' Bill of Rights Act of 2008, Marsy's Law was enacted to amend California's state constitution to provide additional rights to victims of domestic violence. The passing of Marsy's Law curtailed the empowerment of the courts to sentence uncooperative victims of domestic abuse to jail time and/or community service for refusing to testify against their abusive spouses or partners.

Petty Theft: Taking another individual's property, valued at less than $400.00, without their consent.

Robbery: This crime entails the taking of another's property by the use of threats, force or violence. Robbery is a serious offense, because it involves depriving another individual of their liberty and empowerment to act of their own volition.

Sexual Battery: Sexual battery entails touching another individual against their will for the purposes of sexual arousal. This type of charge can be processed as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending upon the level of force that was implemented by the alleged offender. A sexual battery conviction can result in a lifetime obligation to register as a sex offender.

Three Strikes Law: California's three strikes law allows the state courts to impose lifetime sentences upon repeat offenders of violent crimes. Charges of murder, mayhem and rape will result in the accrual of a strike against a defendant's record and count against him or her if he or she is ever convicted of another violent crime.